On Monday Blue America and BlogPac dropped recorded calls into the districts of five Democrats who are voting with George Bush to sustain his veto over SCHIP and deny healthcare to kids: Jim Marshall (D-GA), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Baron Hill (D-IN), Gene Taylor (D-MS)

It looks like Baron Hill just switched his vote, and we are hearing from constituents that McIntyre is now “undecided” after hearing from constituents.

Washington — Democratic-leaning groups are making hundreds of phone calls in the Macon area district of Democratic Rep. Jim Marshall, deriding Marshall for voting against the funding of a children’s health program and potentially causing problems for Marshall, one of the most vulnerable congressional incumbents in the country in the 2008 elections.

The groups — Blue America and BlogPAC — are targeting Marshall and four other House Democrats who voted against the bill that would have added $35 billion over five years to the State Children’s Health Insurance Program, known nationally as SCHIP and in Georgia as PeachCare for Kids.

The campaign against Marshall and other Democrats mirrors an effort by another coalition of progressive groups that have targeted 17 House Republicans who voted against the SCHIP funding. Democrats sent the bill to President Bush knowing he would veto because it gave Democrats an issue against Republicans in the 2008 election.

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Marshall’s spokesman, Doug Moore, said Marshall is unlikely to change his position and he played down the chances that the phone campaign would hurt Marshall among his Democratic constituents.

“It’s impossible to predict an impact,” Moore said. “Some people were upset and some people were happy” with Marshall’s vote, he said. “But you’re only hearing from the upset ones. A lot of constituents agree with the way Jim voted.”

We’re going to keep up the pressure by following up with newspaper ads in the districts of these representatives. Your contributions have made these efforts possible. Many thanks to everyone who gave.

We still need your help. If you would like to help us keep the pressure up you can give to the Blue America PAC here.

“If the war in Iraq is so noble, why aren’t you and your sister serving our country there?”

“I understand that point, but there are many ways to serve our country, and I think my skills are better suited for teaching and representing the U.S. in Latin America through UNICEF. I respect the men and women of our country who are over there fighting. It is an unbelievably selfless thing to do. But if people really thought about it, they would know it’s not even a practical question.”

Martin Matheny, of the Georgia Democratic Party, declined to comment on how the phone-in campaign against Marshall could play out in the 2008 election, but acknowledged that many state Democrats are unhappy with the three-term congressman.

“If you look around the blogs in Georgia, there are some Democrats upset with him about this,” Matheny said.

Marshall’s positions on SCHIP and the Iraq war, among other things, earned him at least two Democratic primary challengers. Macon Mayor Jack Ellis last week formed an exploratory committee to challenge Marshall. Robert Nowak, a schoolteacher from Macon, this week joined the primary race.

Echoing Republicans, Marshall said he voted against the bill because he believes the program has strayed from its original intention, with some states enrolling adults and middle-class children in a program intended to help poor children.

“Echoing Republicans” kind of sums up the Bush Dog world of public speaking.

Martin Matheny, of the Georgia Democratic Party, declined to comment on how the phone-in campaign against Marshall could play out in the 2008 election, but acknowledged that many state Democrats are unhappy with the three-term congressman.

“If you look around the blogs in Georgia, there are some Democrats upset with him about this,” Matheny said.

Marshall’s positions on SCHIP and the Iraq war, among other things, earned him at least two Democratic primary challengers. Macon Mayor Jack Ellis last week formed an exploratory committee to challenge Marshall. Robert Nowak, a schoolteacher from Macon, this week joined the primary race.

Echoing Republicans, Marshall said he voted against the bill because he believes the program has strayed from its original intention, with some states enrolling adults and middle-class children in a program intended to help poor children.

“Echoing Republicans” kind of sums up the Bush Dog world of public speaking.
Preview is my friend
Preview is my friend . . .

“If the war in Iraq is so noble, why aren’t you and your sister serving our country there?”

“I understand that point, but there are many ways to serve our country, and I think my skills are better suited for teaching and representing the U.S. in Latin America through UNICEF. I respect the men and women of our country who are over there fighting. It is an unbelievably selfless thing to do. But if people really thought about it, they would know it’s not even a practical question.”

She has a point about the practicality – like, how long would an ice vodka luge even last in the heat of Anbar province?

“If the war in Iraq is so noble, why aren’t you and your sister serving our country there?”

“I understand that point, but there are many ways to serve our country, and I think my skills are better suited for teaching and representing the U.S. in Latin America through UNICEF. I respect the men and women of our country who are over there fighting. It is an unbelievably selfless thing to do. But if people really thought about it, they would know it’s not even a practical question.”

What’s “not practical” about it? Up until the last sentence, she almost had an argument going. Then she put her foot right into a steaming pile of bullshit.

Called Don Young’s office. Told them to pass it on that if he changes the votes of two GOP representatives, I’ll get five people to donate to his 2008 campaign. He might be desperate enough for that to work.

Over at Huffpost the trolls were talking about how uncivil and crass the “left” was in questioning a young woman’s decision not to go to Iraq and serve for the glory of the empire. Talk about cognitive dissonance.

Over at Huffpost the trolls were talking about how uncivil and crass the “left” was in questioning a young woman’s decision not to go to Iraq and serve for the glory of the empire. Talk about cognitive dissonance.

Oh, these guys are masters of cognitive dissonance. It’s a lot easier to get there if you don’t have too many neurons firing to begin with.

A recent poll, conducted by Frederick Polls and Paid for by Altria Corporate Services, Inc., (read push poll from the tobacco industry) indicates that Marshall is very popular in the district-more popular than Bush. Of 400 polled, 49% of respondents thought that Bush was doing an “excellent” or “good” job, while a full 70% said that they had either a very positive or somewhat positive view of Marshall. Add to that the fact that Georgians overwhelmingly favor PeachCare and SCHIP-programs that are more popular than either Bush or Marshall, and it becomes clear that Marshall may just have hitched his wagon to the wrong pony in this fight.

No link to the source of the poll numbers, unfortunately — especially the unstated SCHIP and PeachCare support numbers. Still, it’s an interesting comparison.

Over at Huffpost the trolls were talking about how uncivil and crass the “left” was in questioning a young woman’s decision not to go to Iraq and serve for the glory of the empire. Talk about cognitive dissonance.

Oh, these guys are masters of cognitive dissonance. It’s a lot easier to get there if you don’t have too many neurons firing to begin with.

“If the war in Iraq is so noble, why aren’t you and your sister serving our country there?”

“I understand that point, but there are many ways to serve our country, and I think my skills are better suited for teaching and representing the U.S. in Latin America through UNICEF. I respect the men and women of our country who are over there fighting. It is an unbelievably selfless thing to do. But if people really thought about it, they would know it’s not even a practical question.”

Taking her at face value, then why isn’t her sister serving? Why is there no one from the Bush family serving? Not everyone is teaching or touring Latin America.

AP – The Pentagon has paid more than $100 million in bonuses to veteran Green Berets and Navy SEALs, reversing the flow of top commandos to the corporate world where security companies such as Blackwater USA are offering big salaries.

AP – The Pentagon has paid more than $100 million in bonuses to veteran Green Berets and Navy SEALs, reversing the flow of top commandos to the corporate world where security companies such as Blackwater USA are offering big salaries.

AP – The Pentagon has paid more than $100 million in bonuses to veteran Green Berets and Navy SEALs, reversing the flow of top commandos to the corporate world where security companies such as Blackwater USA are offering big salaries.

Oh, does that mean that they’re noticing some problems with the mercenary industry? Just asking.

AP – The Pentagon has paid more than $100 million in bonuses to veteran Green Berets and Navy SEALs, reversing the flow of top commandos to the corporate world where security companies such as Blackwater USA are offering big salaries.

Seems as if America has found something they are good at. Creating killers for hire. I guess these days they are called mercenaries. Americans should be so proud. Sit back and enjoy the implosion that’s coming. The rest of the civilized world certainly is.

AP – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday accused Iran of “lying” about the aim of its nuclear program, saying there’s no doubt Tehran wants the capability to produce nuclear weapons and has deceived the U.N.’s atomic watchdog about its intentions.

AP – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday accused Iran of “lying” about the aim of its nuclear program, saying there’s no doubt Tehran wants the capability to produce nuclear weapons and has deceived the U.N.’s atomic watchdog about its intentions.

They said that about Iraq, too, didn’t they? And, let me see, who was telling the truth again, BushCo or the IAEA…?

“If the war in Iraq is so noble, why aren’t you and your sister serving our country there?”

“I understand that point, but there are many ways to serve our country, and I think my skills are better suited for teaching and representing the U.S. in Latin America through UNICEF. I respect the men and women of our country who are over there fighting. It is an unbelievably selfless thing to do. But if people really thought about it, they would know it’s not even a practical question.”

But does South America want her, wasn’t her Granddad head of the CIA when the military overthrew democracy in more than a few countries.
Nicargua and Panama might have a few things to say about how welcome she, is plus all the victim of right wing death squads in Columbia and the Nuns of San Savador.
Why doesn’t she voulnteer at Walter Reed and help our wounded troops I could respect that if she is afraid of combat.
Heck I knew smaller more delicate looking girls who went to the service and went to college too! They served in the army which is more than big old me ever did.
We have a need for people in South America but charity should begin at home, charity should begin by cleaning up yor familes mess!

“If the war in Iraq is so noble, why aren’t you and your sister serving our country there?”

“I understand that point, but there are many ways to serve our country, and I think my skills are better suited for teaching and representing the U.S. in Latin America through UNICEF. I respect the men and women of our country who are over there fighting. It is an unbelievably selfless thing to do. But if people really thought about it, they would know it’s not even a practical question.”

What’s “not practical” about it? Up until the last sentence, she almost had an argument going. Then she put her foot right into a steaming pile of bullshit.

OK, I’ll jump in here with something that is not really rhetorical…when was the last time a president’s child served in the military – wartime or no? I’m thinking FDR and one of his sons – am I correct? Eisenhower? Definitely not Nixon (both girls and not expected at the time)
not Kennedy (too young at the time)
not LBJ – (both girls and not expected at the time)
Carter (son Jack – did he serve? His daughter was too young at the time)
Ford?
Bush1 (well, we know all about THAT story – I’m not sure his service “counts”)
Clinton (daughter too young at the time he was president)
Bush 2 (well, we now have two girls that are a) old enough, b)it’s wartime, and c) women are well accepted in the military)

Called Don Young’s office. Told them to pass it on that if he changes the votes of two GOP representatives, I’ll get five people to donate to his 2008 campaign. He might be desperate enough for that to work.

Ed, Ed — this is a great idea – you could hold an auction…seems to happen all the time down there…

What’s “not practical” about it? Up until the last sentence, she almost had an argument going. Then she put her foot right into a steaming pile of bullshit.

OK, I’ll jump in here with something that is not really rhetorical…when was the last time a president’s child served in the military – wartime or no? I’m thinking FDR and one of his sons – am I correct? Eisenhower? Definitely not Nixon (both girls and not expected at the time)
not Kennedy (too young at the time)
not LBJ – (both girls and not expected at the time)
Carter (son Jack – did he serve? His daughter was too young at the time)
Ford?
Bush1 (well, we know all about THAT story – I’m not sure his service “counts”)
Clinton (daughter too young at the time he was president)
Bush 2 (well, we now have two girls that are a) old enough, b)it’s wartime, and c) women are well accepted in the military)

I am not one to defend a Bush family member but wouldn’t the security issues be rather insurmountable?

“Democrats sent the bill to President Bush knowing he would veto because it gave Democrats an issue against Republicans in the 2008 election.”
I don’t suppose it’s poaaible that Democrats sent the bill to the Prez in the hope of helping children. Nope, that’s just not strategically and politically smart, is it?

It’s easy to feel down when things don’t seem to change much, but here’s more proof that all our efforts are worth it. We’re just getting warmed up. Get everyone you know to check out places like FDL. The revolution is underway…